The Joys of John

[Mendalla]

The dual message of Jesus pointedly asking for the one who is without sin to act and no one acting and then Jesus himself forgiving the woman kind of suggests to me the story relates to the focus on Jesus as the source of salvation and forgiveness of sin. So perhaps as that idea took hold, this story either got started or started to be taken more seriously assuming it already existed.

Perhaps this explains why it was not included in the RCL?

I find that quite interesting, too, given it's a popular story. It's one of the Gospel stories that has really stuck with me from my Christian days.

 

[paradox3]

The dual message of Jesus pointedly asking for the one who is without sin to act and no one acting and then Jesus himself forgiving the woman kind of suggests to me the story relates to the focus on Jesus as the source of salvation and forgiveness of sin. So perhaps as that idea took hold, this story either got started or started to be taken more seriously assuming it already existed.

Interesting take on the story and one have never considered. It seems logical enough, though. A lot of this particular gospel is very layered.

I have always understood it more as an ethical lesson. How we should treat each other, in other words. It echoes the prayer Jesus taught, I think.

I find that quite interesting, too, given it's a popular story. It's one of the Gospel stories that has really stuck with me from my Christian days.

My mom often quoted from it:
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
And: "Go, thou, and sin no more."
Probably the KJV. in both cases. .

 

[unsafe]

Ya --I agree ---This is a Scripture most people are familiar with

This show just how devious and plotting the Pharisees were to keep Jesus from Preaching the Gospel of Grace ----

The Pharisees were jealous ---they were crafty ---they were arrogant --they were devious in their thinking and they were confident that they could Trick Jesus so they could arrest Him here as they thought that He wouldn't know the law concerning catching one in adultery --

The Law was for both parties to be put to death not just one party --

(Exodus 20:14). The punishment for adultery under Mosaic Law was death for both the man and woman involved.

So they just brought the woman hoping Jesus would make an error and not know the law on condemning both parties --

Jesus waits a fer minutes and doodles on the ground or writes on the ground ---many speculations on this

And we know that Jesus knew the law on this and knew that the Pharisees were trying to trick Him ----and He turns the tables completely on them -----

He who is without Sin cast the first stone ---and they all vacate ---leaving Jesus and the woman together ----and He frees her without condemnation -----telling her to Sin no more ---

Doesn't say whether she listened to Jesus or not about sinning no more ---but I personally think it would have effected her in some way ------

This tells us that we can't fool Jesus ---and if we think we can we deceive ourselves ----

 

[paradox3]

@unsafe
Exodus 20:14 prohibits adultery but it doesn't say anything about the penalty for the man or the woman. Maybe we can find it elsewhere in the Law.

 

[Mendalla]

@unsafe
Exodus 20:14 prohibits adultery but it doesn't say anything about the penalty for the man or the woman. Maybe we can find it elsewhere in the Law.

A quick Google got me Leviticus 20:10

Bible Gateway passage: Leviticus 20:10 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

“If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.

www.biblegateway.com

Much of Leviticus 20 deals with sexual laws

 

[Waterfall]

I think I remember reading that the Jewish believe only God can ultimately forgive sins....and here is Jesus forgiving this woman.

 

[GordW]

I think I remember reading that the Jewish believe only God can ultimately forgive sins....and here is Jesus forgiving this woman.

I think it is a (very logical) interpretive choice to see Jesus as forgiving her. What the text has him saying is that he does not condemn her (after noting that nobody else is there to condemn her either) and then telling her to go and sin no more. THat could just as easily be recognizing that the crowd has failed to find her culpable or that JEsus is naming that God has done the forgiving already.

 

[paradox3]

I think I remember reading that the Jewish believe only God can ultimately forgive sins....and here is Jesus forgiving this woman.

Next up in John 8 we will see Jesus talking about being one with the father. Hmmm.

 

[unsafe]

(Exodus 20:14). The punishment for adultery under Mosaic Law was death for both the man and woman involved.

Ya sorry My bad ---you are so right -----this is just the law ---condemning it ---forgot to post the scripture on the punishment ----

Leviticus 20:10 ERV​

Punishments for Sexual Sins​

10“If a man has sexual relations with his neighbor’s wife, both the man and the woman are guilty of adultery and must be put to death!

Just seeing that Mendella has quoted it -----Thanks Mendalla

 

[unsafe]

I think I remember reading that the Jewish believe only God can ultimately forgive sins....and here is Jesus forgiving this woman.

I think personally that Jesus did forgive this woman of her sin ------

and God the Father gave Jesus the authority to forgive sins

Matthew 9:6 AMP
​

6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority and the power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home.”

 

[paradox3]

The story is silent on whether or not the woman showed any remorse for her actions. There is no mention of repentance, confession or atonement.

Curious, no?

 

[unsafe]

The story is silent on whether or not the woman showed any remorse for her actions. There is no mention of repentance, confession or atonement.

Curious, no?

You are right here ----it gives no info on this woman at all really except she is an adultress and Jesus doesn't condemn her -----

The focus is on the trickery and deceit of the Pharisees trying to Trap Jesus so they could arrest Him ---not on the woman ---she was just part of the Pharisees's plan to get Jesus --

AI --------Says this

Yes, the woman caught in adultery in John 8 likely repented. While the Bible doesn't explicitly state she repented, the context of the story strongly suggests it. Jesus tells her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more". This implies a turning away from sin and a commitment to a new life.

Here's a more detailed look at why the text suggests repentance:

• Jesus's words:
  Instead of outright condemnation, Jesus tells the woman to "go and sin no more". This is a call to change and a statement of trust in her ability to do so.
  
  
• The context:
  The story highlights the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who were quick to judge. By not condemning the woman, Jesus demonstrates his compassion and forgiveness, which is a powerful invitation to change.
  
  
• The parallel to David:
  Some interpreters draw a parallel between the woman in John 8 and King David, who was also forgiven but not without consequence. Both were offered the opportunity to change and live a new life.

 

[unsafe]

Read all --I just posted this part

What can we learn from the woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the woman caught in adultery? What is the meaning of the pericope adulterae?

www.gotquestions.org

Jesus reassured her with words of grace and truth: “Then neither do I condemn you. . . . Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11). With her guilt and shame addressed, Jesus now offered her a new life. Forgiveness (“Go now”) should lead to holiness and newness of life (“Leave your life of sin”).

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the story of the woman caught in adultery is how skillfully it illustrates the harmony of justice and mercy in Christ’s salvation. God pronounces judgment on sin but provides a way to escape condemnation (Romans 3:23; 8:1). Jesus does not encourage the sin, but He loves the sinner. The Lord silences the critics of this world while healing hearts that are burdened with guilt and shame. God never treats sin casually but calls sinners to turn away from their old, corrupt way of life (Ephesians 4:17–24).

The incident of the woman caught in adultery shines light into each of our own hearts and exposes the widespread existence of sin. After Jesus prompted the accusers to consider their own lives, all of them dropped their stones and walked away, knowing they, too, deserved the same punishment

 

[paradox3]

There are lots of good angles to this little story. It reminds me of a parable.

 

[GordW]

The story is silent on whether or not the woman showed any remorse for her actions. There is no mention of repentance, confession or atonement.

Curious, no?

You are right here ----it gives no info on this woman at all really except she is an adultress and Jesus doesn't condemn her -----

Gives no info on if she has actually been found guilty either. "caught in adultery" has meant different things from caught in the act to suspected over the course of the years. But really the question of repentance does not seem as important to John in general as it does for Luke.

 

[paradox3]

True @GordW we don't know if the woman was really guilty of adultery. It seems like a reasonable assumption but who knows?

Remember the woman with the five husbands? Many are quick to assume she is guilty of immoral behavior.

 

[Waterfall]

Do Roman Catholic priests offer forgiveness? If so where does this authority come from? What about other church ministers, priests, pastors, etc.....?

 

[paradox3]

Roman Catholic priests assign acts of penance, I know that. I think they offer absolution in the name of Jesus.

Protestant tradition has the clergy person providing an assurance of pardon.

Interesting question @Waterfall.

 

[Waterfall]

Roman Catholic priests assign acts of penance, I know that. I think they offer absolution in the name of Jesus.

Protestant tradition has the clergy person providing an assurance of pardon.

Interesting question @Waterfall.

Just wondering how that all lined up with a Jewish Messiah.

 

[unsafe]

Do Roman Catholic priests offer forgiveness? If so where does this authority come from? What about other church ministers, priests, pastors, etc...

Ya Priest do and it is a a Big Fat False Hope that they are peddling ----No Where does it Ever say In Scripture that Ministers ==Priest etc can forgive Sins ---

Jesus took all Sin for all people for all time --upon Himself -so Sin has been dealt with by Jesus ----so now every individual has to receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour cause He is the One who took your sin so you would receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who is the only one who can change your Tainted Human Spirit to be Holy so you can get into Heaven --

No Priest can get you entrance into Heaven ----many Catholics will be shocked when they are refused to gain entrance into Heaven cause they rejected to Receive Jesus and trusted the Priest ---